Francesco de Guardi was born in Venice, the City of Canals, on October 5, 1712 as the son of the painter Domenico Guardi. Francesco de Guardi worked together with his brother Gianantonio Guardi in the family workshop. He was a student of his oldest brother Gianantonio; later he was particularly influenced by Magnasco and Marco Ricci.
He painted historical and religious motifs in Rococo tradition. Francesco de Guardi was inspired by Alessandro Magnasco's quasi-expressionist style. During this period he chose a softer palette, which he combined with a gloomy atmosphere. In 1760 de Guardi painted "The Canale Grande at San Geremia", which still closely followed the tradition of his teacher Giovanni Antonio Canaletto, the most famous and most prolific vedute painter of 18th century Italy. A little later, Francesco de Guardi broke away from this influence and developed his own style. In his late work, de Guardi turned to vedute painting, with his main motif being his home town of Venice. In these works he particularly employed the effects of light and shadows. His pieces appear to have a magical-poetic character. Francesco de Guardi's painting of light reflects characteristics of what was to become Impressionism, which he anticipated with his technique.
Francesco de Guardi and his brothers are regarded as the last representatives of the classical school of Venetian painting. Until the death of his brother Antonie in 1760, Francesco de Guardi worked in the family's painting workshop. Francesco de Guardi died in Venice on January 1, 1793.